Using Essential Oils for Health, Home and Happiness

Essential oils aren’t just for your hippie aunt. These powerful plant compounds have profound benefits for our health, home and mood.

New research shows some essential oils may be more effective than antibiotics at treating infections, but we’ve known for ages they can stabilize moods and purify our homes. At Vine Healthcare, we use essential oils to Optimize and Support our patients on the path to Fully Functional™ health,

There’s no doubt that essential oils are powerful, but we can get the most bang for our buck by focusing on the following areas of proven potency.

For Your Health

For thousands of years, cultures around the world have used plant extracts as a basis for medicinal treatments. Perhaps the most familiar example of this is in the herbal teas of Eastern Medicine.

We can think of modern essential oils as the next iteration of this tradition. They are pure, powerful distillations of a plant’s strongest medicinal properties. Essential oils are volatile compounds derived from aromatic plants, many of which are have been used in healing since ancient times.

When used correctly, essential oils can be life-changing and have far fewer side effects than pharmaceutical drugs. This makes them a perfect addition to any Fully Functional™ healing plan!

In one recent review, researchers suggested that essential oils can be a powerful complement to traditional antibacterial treatments, and may even be more effective than pharmaceuticals at combatting drug-resistant strains of bacteria. Some researchers theorize that since essential oils are comprised of several different components, bacteria have a difficult time developing resistance to them.

So, which oils are the most potent antimicrobial and antibacterial agents? In one study of root canal patients, essential oils of peppermint, tea tree and eugenol (clove) significantly inhibited bacterial growth. We also find that oil of oregano and garlic are particularly potent as an antimicrobial treatment for gut pathogens.

Essential oils can also be powerfully therapeutic for cancer patients. While some oils like lavender, eucalyptus, lemon and thyme can combat the crippling symptoms of chemotherapy, others, like sweet orange oil, have been shown to actually inhibit tumor growth.

It’s important to work with a healthcare professional before taking any oils internally. At Vine Healthcare, we can help you find the highest-quality essential oils and administer them in safe, effective doses to help you get the most out of your essential oil treatment.

In The Home

Our new patients often find enormous benefit in swapping out their old cleaning supplies for safer, non-toxic alternatives. This simple step is one of the biggest ways we can Reduce exposure to environmental toxins as we work toward making your living space Fully Functional™.

The Environmental Working Group maintains an exhaustive database of information on the safety of household cleaners—and much of what you find there might surprise you. Household cleaners are full of endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and if you’ve ever gotten lightheaded after cleaning a small bathroom, you know just how powerfully they can affect your health.

But even though we know these compounds shouldn’t have a place in our homes, it’s hard to get past the idea that we “need” them to make the “dirty” surfaces in our kitchens and bathrooms “clean.” The truth is that cleaning with these products often creates an environment that’s too sterile, and might even be contribute to the growth of antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

Essential oils provide a happy medium. We already know they’re powerfully antimicrobial and antibacterial compounds with a proven track record of inhibiting bacterial growth. When combined with products like vinegar or castile soap to make a simple spray, essential oils like lavender, lemon and orange (or a combination oil like Young Living’s Purification or Thieves blends) can replace your traditional household cleaner but skip the harmful fumes. In fact, they’ll smell amazing!

Try this recipe for all-purpose cleaner from Wellness Mama to get started. Or, if you want to skip the process of making your own cleaner, Young Living’s line of Thieves cleaners make an excellent alternative. We use Thieves products in the Vine Healthcare Office, and we love the way it smells! You can purchase Young Living oils, cleaning products and other items at our location or we can ship to you.

Oils and Emotional Healing

Essential oils smell amazing, and at first blush, you might mistake some essential oil blends for an amazing perfume! In fact, the olfactory properties of these oils can help us manage emotions. Lavender oil has even been studied in the treatment of mood and neurological disorders!

Using essential oils for aromatherapy is one of the easiest ways to begin incorporating essential oils into your Fully Functional™ plan.

The easiest way to enjoy the aromatic qualities of essential oils is with a diffuser. These vary in cost and efficacy, but the basic idea is to spread the scent of oils using heat, vapor or another delivery method. You might choose to invest in a diffuser that delivers oil-infused water vapor into your home, or select a smaller wearable diffuser.

We love Young Living’s high quality essential oils, and their oil blends make at-home aromatherapy easier to navigate. Some examples include Peace and Calming (one of their most popular scents!), Valor, Acceptance, Grounding and Joy.

Of course, you can also make your own blends for calming, uplifting, energizing or focus. Try diffusing lavender essential oil before bed or rub a drop on your temples to wind down and encourage sleep. For a mental boost, diffuse equal parts peppermint and lemon essential oils. The combinations are endless!

Essential Oils for a Fully Functional™ Life

We’ve personally experienced the amazing benefits of essential oils, and widely recommend them (especially Young Living brand) to our clients.

Whether you’re hoping to heal, clean up your home environment, or improve your mood, these powerful plant compounds will help.

If you want to incorporate essential oils into your life, aromatherapy is a great place to begin. You might also start swapping your household cleaners for essential oil-based homemade products, or choose a pre-made, oil-based cleaner like Thieves.

For more therapeutic uses or if you’re uncertain where to start, be sure to consult a healthcare practitioner! At Vine Healthcare, we love helping you incorporate essential oils into your routine so you can lead an amazing, Fully Functional™ life. Make your appointment today!

Author: Dr. Ellen Antoine

Dr. Ellen Antoine, DO, FACEP, ABIHM, IFMCP completed her residency in Emergency Medicine at Albert Einstein Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Dr. Ellen Antoine received her medical degree from Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine in Philadelphia and her Bachelor of Science degree in Biology from Tulane University in New Orleans, Louisiana. Continue reading...

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1 Comment

Who would’ve thought there’s more to essential oils than their fancy smell? I never thought that they’d be capable of managing emotions, too! I enjoy massages, but I’m not picky when it comes to the essential oil that the masseuse is using. I’d usually just go with their preference because I thought that it wasn’t such a big deal. Now that I know better, I’d be sure to read more on their intended effects. Thanks for sharing this very interesting read!

Dr. Ellen Antoine is a Certified Practitioner for The Institute for Functional Medicine whose mission is to serve the highest expression of individual health through the widespread adoption of Functional Medicine as the standard of care.